Photographer's Note

The Empress Hornblower excursion boat will be transporting Old Sacramento Gold Rush Festival visitors along the Sacramento River this weekend. The Sacramento River was the primary transportation from San Francisco to Sacramento for the 49ers.

In the background is the Tower Bridge, a vertical lift draw bridge, the first in the California Highway System. It is a rare use of "Streamline Moderne" architectural style in a bridge, and it was opened on December 15, 1935. The towers are 160 feet high (49 meters).

hi Ray,
I too thought this was a paddle steamer with its unique shape. Beautiful boat, and what a cool idea to present it against the historical bridge too. Two interesting subjects in one.

I remember once a few years ago, I went on a tour of the Potomac river to view Washingtons monuments by night, and we went on a paddle steamer. All the people there were Irish and English, and we were all more taken in by the beauty of the ship than anything else, I can see the exact same thing happening with this. What a cool name on the boat too!
Have a great weekend
Noel